IAS, IPS, IFS – Eligibility, Selection Process & Role in India | UPSC Civil Services 2025
IN IAS, IPS & IFS – Prestigious All-India Services through UPSC Civil Services Examination
🔹 What Are All-India Services?
All-India Services are the top-tier administrative positions in India’s governance framework. The three most prestigious services are:
IAS – Indian Administrative Service
IPS – Indian Police Service
IFS – Indian Foreign Service
These officers hold key positions at the district, state, national, and international levels, shaping policies and enforcing laws across India and abroad.
🧾 Service-Wise Overview
🏛️ Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Role:
Formulate and implement government policies
Supervise administrative machinery at the district, state, and central levels
Serve as District Collectors, Commissioners, Secretaries to the Government, and Cabinet Secretaries
Career Path:
Assistant Collector (Training)
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
District Collector/Deputy Commissioner
State Secretariat/Ministry of Home/Finance/etc.
Cabinet Secretary (Topmost position in civil service)
👮 Indian Police Service (IPS)
Role:
Maintain law & order, public safety, and internal security
Lead police departments, intelligence agencies, paramilitary forces
Investigate crimes and combat terrorism, cybercrime, narcotics
Career Path:
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
Superintendent of Police (SP)
Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
Inspector General (IG)
Director General of Police (DGP) or CBI/RAW/NIA Head
🌐 Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
Role:
Represent India in embassies and consulates abroad
Handle foreign relations, international negotiations, treaties
Promote Indian culture, trade, diplomacy globally
Career Path:
Under Secretary at MEA
First Secretary/Second Secretary in Indian Embassies
Ambassador/High Commissioner
Permanent Representative to UN or WTO
✅ Eligibility Criteria (Common to IAS, IPS & IFS)
Criteria Requirement
Educational Graduate in any stream from a recognized university
Age Limit 21 to 32 years (General category)
Relaxation OBC: +3 yrs, SC/ST: +5 yrs
Attempts Gen: 6, OBC: 9, SC/ST: Unlimited
Nationality Indian citizen (for IAS/IPS), Indian/OCI (for IFS)
📝 Exam Pattern: UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)
1. Preliminary Exam (Objective)
Paper I: General Studies (GS)
Paper II: CSAT (Qualifying)
2. Main Exam (Written)
9 Papers including 2 Language, 4 GS Papers, 2 Optional Papers, and 1 Essay
3. Personality Test (Interview)
Final merit list is based on Mains + Interview score
Exam Conducting Authority:
👉 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
🏆 Perks & Benefits
Government bungalow & staff (for IAS/IPS)
Official vehicles, security, diplomatic passport (IFS)
Power, prestige, and authority
Pension and lifetime healthcare
International travel (IFS), policymaking authority (IAS), public security leadership (IPS)